By Tobias Chanji

Kwale,Kenya; Drilling works recently confirmed the presence of an estimated 100 million tonnes of niobium

A second foreign firm has been licensed to mine high-grade niobium at Mrima Hill in Kwale County.

The firm now awaits final authorisation by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) to commence works later this year.

Base Titanium, the Kenyan subsidiary of the Australian company Base Resources Limited is already developing the Kwale Mineral Sands Project in Kwale and mining is expected to start later this year with an estimated turnover of Sh25 billion per year.

Cortec Mining Kenya, a Kenyan subsidiary of a Canadian firm, got its license late last month after initial drilling works recently confirmed the presence of an estimated 100 million tonnes of niobium and an additional 30 million tonnes of rare elements in Kwale.

The total monetary value of these deposits is equivalent to Sh3 trillion per year for up to 30 years making Mrima Hills the third largest deposit of rare elements and fifth largest deposit of niobium in the world.

In gazette notice No 3899 issued on March 22 this year the Commissioner of mines and geology granted Cortec a special mining license of 47 points in Mrima Hill on May 7 this year.

The company’s project manager Deon Alberts told The Standard in Kwale yesterday that the firm now looks forward for a final license from the Nema.

“We are very soon going to put up a pilot plant that will include a main power line and infrastructure. We already have our consultants who are working round the clock,” said Alberts.

In a letter dated March 26 this year ref MEMR/A6.15/01 by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources Ali Mohammed to Director General of Nema Prof Geoffrey Wahungu says the issuance of mining licenses is focused towards achievement of Vision 2030.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The PS urges Nema to facilitate the company to contribute to national growth and poverty eradication.

Meanwhile, locals look forward to benefiting through employment and Alberts says they will not be disappointed.

“The locals have elected young vibrant leaders who I think have their needs at heart. Procurement of machines can take long but we will do everything to implement the projects in shorter time and ensure jobs are created,” he said yesterday.

Kwale Governor Mr Salim Mvurya hailed the new investments and added that youth employment is essential for meaningful development in the area.